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PC911 > Reviews > Hardware > Plextor Plexwriter 24/10/40U USB 2.0 External CD-RW Drive

Plextor Plexwriter 24/10/40U USB 2.0 External CD-RW Drive

URL: http://www.plextor.com/english/products/24_10_40u.html

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Rating: Excellent!

Review:

My old HP external CD-RW drive with its early-version (3-something-or-other) Easy CD Creator software worked fine in W98, but XP would have no part of it. And while that drive had never failed me, it was slower than a D8 Cat in a drag race. It was time for a change.

Earlier, thinking ahead, I had equipped my computer with a D-Link 5-Port USB 2.0 PCI Adapter. I needed more than my computer's two 1.1 USB terminals for some upcoming equipment, and the PCI Adapter seemed to make more sense than simply buying a powered hub. The PCI Adapter provides extra ports, each one of which can transfer data up to 480 Mbps for USB 2.0 hardware, and is backward compatible with USB 1.1.

I chose the Plextor Plexwriter 24/10/40U USB 2.0 External CD-RW drive over the 40/12/40U, feeling that 24/10/40 would be more than adequate for my needs, while suitable media for it would be easier to track down -- at the present time. The unit has BURN-Proof technology, eliminating buffer underruns, and is compatible with Windows 98SE/2000/ME/XP and even Macintosh (no Mac software included). Some other features: 140ms average random access time, 4MB Buffer, Digital Audio Extraction at up to 40X max, Flash ROM for easy upgrade over the Internet, and much more, including one full year warranty and unlimited toll-free technical support.

The 24/10/40U comes with two software programs: SimpliCD, and Roxio -- your choice. I opted for the Roxio (Easy CD Creator, version 5.0), which works flawlessly in my Windows XP Pro. Be advised, if you use the Roxio, go to Plextor's web site and download their firmware update, which brings the software up to version 5.3. This makes the software even more compatible with XP, as well as giving you the ability to use a DVD recordable drive for storing up to 4.7 GB of data. While prowling around on Plextor's web site, you may notice that they also market USB 2.0 PCI Adapters -- two different versions, made by Adaptec, I believe.

I'm no computer guru, but I recognize quality, and this is it!

Submitted by: Ray Tolley

   
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